Answer: The baby may have type B or type AB blood.
Some extra relevant information:
When it comes to blood types and the potential outcomes for offspring, it’s important to understand the basic principles of genetics. While there are many different blood types, the main ones include A, B, AB, and O. Each blood type is determined by the presence or absence of certain antigens on the surface of red blood cells.
In your scenario, where the man has type AB blood and the woman has type B blood, let’s explore the possibilities for their potential child.
The man with AB blood has two different antigens, A and B, on his red blood cells. This means he inherited one allele for A and one allele for B. On the other hand, the woman with type B blood has the B antigen and carries the alleles for B blood type.
When these two individuals decide to have a baby, they will each pass on one of their alleles to the child, determining the child’s blood type. The possible combinations are as follows:
1. If the man passes on the A allele and the woman passes on the B allele, the child will have AB blood type, just like the father.
2. If the man passes on the B allele and the woman also passes on the B allele, the child will have type B blood, similar to the mother.
It’s essential to note that the child cannot have type A blood because neither parent carries the A allele required for type A blood. Additionally, the child cannot have type O blood because both parents have antigens present on their red blood cells.
In summary, if a man with AB blood and a woman with type B blood have a baby, there are two possible outcomes: the child can have AB blood type, inheriting one allele from each parent, or the child can have type B blood, inheriting the B allele from both parents.